Getting Started

Before You Begin

Verify Your Data Cable

Before connecting your device to your computer, make sure your USB cable supports both charging AND data transfer. Some cables are charge-only and won’t work for flashing firmware.

To verify your cable:

• Try connecting it to your phone or another device
• Attempt to copy a file to or from the device
• If file transfer works, your cable can also transfer data and is ready to use

Step 1: Identify Your Board

Before you begin, you’ll need to decide on your first device. Check out our Get a Node guide to help you choose the right hardware for your needs and budget.

Once you have your device, identify its manufacturer and designation (e.g., ESP32, nRF52, RP2040). You’ll need this information to select the correct drivers and firmware.

Board Name & Designation: _______________________

Choosing the Right Device

Meshtastic supports several chipset types, each with different advantages:

• ESP32-based devices: Equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth; ideal for web interface access and WiFi configuration. ESP32-S3 variants offer improved performance. The Heltec V3 or V4 are excellent options if you’re powering from mains. Higher power consumption than nRF52.

• nRF52-based devices: Much more power efficient than ESP32; ideal for battery-powered and solar deployments. Equipped with Bluetooth only (no WiFi). Uses the UF2 bootloader for easy updates. Easier to maintain on battery power.

• RP2040-based devices: Dual-core ARM chip developed by Raspberry Pi. Cost-effective for DIY projects. Don’t typically require serial drivers; they use the UF2 bootloader and appear as flash drives.

• Semtech-based devices: Choose newer SX126x or LR11xx series for improved performance over the older SX127x series

Buying Your First Radio

Heltec is a great choice if you’re powering the device from mains power. They’re more affordable, have excellent case support available, and are well-established in the community.

WisBlock offers more flexibility and features for battery-powered applications, though at a slightly higher price point.

Step 2: Install Drivers and Firmware

Browser Requirements

1. Visit the Meshtastic website and navigate to the Getting Started section
2. Follow the instructions for your device type to download and install any necessary drivers

Driver Notes

• Only download serial drivers if your device requires them
• After installing drivers (if needed), restart your computer to ensure the operating system is updated

Flash Firmware

1. Return to the Meshtastic.org Getting Started section
2. Use the web flasher or follow the provided instructions to flash the Meshtastic firmware onto your device

Step 3: Initial Node Configuration

Access the settings menu by pressing the settings cog icon. The recommended configuration for nodes in the Indiana mesh network is documented in detail on the Node Configuration Reference page.

Here are the key things to configure:

• LoRa Settings: Set region to US 915, preset to “Long Range - Fast”
• Channels: Configure the default “Long Fast” channel
• User Configuration: Set your node name and long/short identifiers
• Device Role: Set to CLIENT (or CLIENT_BASE for roof nodes)
• Position: Enable position broadcasting at 6-hour intervals

For the complete list of recommended settings for each category, see the Node Configuration Reference.

Advanced Configuration

For information on advanced configuration options including MQTT, Serial, Telemetry, and External Notifications, see the Advanced Configuration Guide.

Learning & Support Resources

Configuration Guides

For detailed configuration help, check out these excellent resources:

• Meshtastic Official Documentation - Comprehensive official docs
• CommsChannel on YouTube - Great for video walkthroughs of radio setup and configuration

Upgrading Your Antenna

Once you’re up and running, consider upgrading your antenna for better range and performance. Check what other community members are using and discover options in the Meshtastic Antenna Reports repository.

Finding Nodes Near You

Use these mesh maps to discover nodes in your area:

• MeshMap.net - View the global mesh network with detailed node information
• Liamcottle’s Meshtastic Map - Alternative map visualization

If you have a Discord account, you can also ask about other mesh users and nodes in specific areas on the Meshtastic Community Discord.

Useful Resources

Official Tools

• Meshtastic Flasher - Web-based firmware flasher
• Meshtastic GitHub - Source code and development
• Meshtastic Site Survey - Plan your mesh coverage
• Nightly Builds - Advanced users only

Maps & Monitoring

• MeshMap - Meshtastic MQTT node map with root topic information
• Liamcottle’s Meshtastic Map - Alternative mesh visualization
• MeshSense Map - Additional mesh visualization
• RF Line of Sight Tool - Plan RF coverage

Mobile Apps

• iOS/macOS: MeshScope, Mesh World
• Android: Meshtastic Android Client, Obtanium (advanced users)
• OTA Updates: nRF Connect for iOS, nRF Connect for Android

Other Tools

• MQTT Explorer - Monitor MQTT traffic without a node
• MeshSense App - Advanced Meshtastic client
• Site Survey Tool - Plan your mesh coverage and antenna placement

For more tools and resources, see the Resources page.

Regional Community Networks

Join other Indiana meshers on these regional networks:

• Central Indiana Mesh Network
• Southern Indiana Mesh Network
• Bloomington Mesh Network
• Indiana Mesh Discord - Chat with other Hoosier meshers

Need Help?

Have questions or found errors? Reach out on the Indiana Mesh Discord or contact the community members there.